Table of Contents
Introduction
In Arab culture, when a guest arrives, as a welcoming gesture, Arab people present them a drink known as Qahwa, also known as Arabic coffee. It is part of the Middle East culture, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This drink is not as like western coffee; this coffee has not only a distinct aroma and golden hue but also serving in small cups is a part of culture.
Usually, many people are curious about this Arabic beverage, and that is why they are searching for how to make Arabic coffee. So, for solving their query, we compile this article in which we discuss Arabic coffee or also share the step guides of how to make Arabic coffee.
Difference B/W arabic coffee and other coffee
Before going towards the steps of how make arabic coffee, lets explore some common difference between the arabic and other coffees.
· Roast level
Other coffees, like Turkish coffee, are dark brown in color because of the use of fine dark ground roasted beans, and usually it is strong in taste, but when we consider Arabic coffee, it is slightly golden or pale in color because of the use lightly roasted beans.
· Preparation method
If we consider other coffees like espresso, it is brewed very quickly and is concentrated and bold in flavor, but Arabic coffee has a smooth taste because it is simmered with cardamom and also brewed in a pot called dallah.
· Spices & flavor
The Western world usually does not prefer any kind of spice in their coffee, but in Arab culture, people use different types of spices like cardamom and saffron. This is one of the main reasons that will create a difference between Arabic coffee and other western coffee.
· Serving style
One of the differences is serving style, as we discuss in the above sections. In other coffees, like Turkish coffee or espresso, usually these beverages are served on normal coffee cups, which are often sweetened, but Arabic people usually have Arabic coffee in a small cup known as a finjaan. These cups don’t have handles.
Ingredients you’ll need
Now, in order to find out how make arabic coffee, lets explore the ingredients that must required to make arabic coffee.
· Arabic coffee beans
The first main ingredient that you must have is Arabic coffee beans. The special characteristic of Arabic beans is the golden color and mild flavor they offer after brewing. You can easily find these Arabic coffee beans in almost every store, shop, and retailer.
· Cardamom
Another main ingredient that provides the best aromatic touch and spicy flavor to Arabic coffee, or qahwa, is cardamom. Usually, people add the amount of cardamom during the brewing process as per their desired taste. You can use pre-ground cardamom, but for best taste, it is preferable to use fresh ground cardamom.
· Water
Like any other brew, the most common ingredient that is necessary to consider is water. Always use clean and fresh water because it directly impacts the flavor of your coffee. As compared to espresso and other coffee, Arabic coffee typically requires more water relative to coffee ground, resulting in a dilute, lighter brew.
· Optional Ingredients: Saffron, Cloves, Rose water
Sometimes people add some other special ingredient like saffron, cloves, and rose water to enhance Arabic coffee taste. These ingredients provide a special profile, such as saffron adds for a golden hue and floral note, cloves provide a spicy warmth, and rose water is usually used for a floral fragrance.
· Sugar(Optional)
Usually, Arabic coffee is unsweetened, and its taste is often accompanied by dates or sweets to balance the coffee bitterness. So, if you want a sweetened taste, you can add the desired amount of sugar to it.
· Dallah(Traditional coffee pot)
What is Dallah?
It is not an ingredient. It is a traditional pot for making Arabic coffee. But no need to worry if you don’t have dallah; you can brew the coffee on a regular saucepan. Dalah is just used for authentic heat distribution and to add a traditional experience touch.
how make arabic coffee (step-by-step guide)
Now, in terms of understand how make arabic coffee, move towards the steps guide of how make arabic coffee which are as follow:
1. Selecting the right coffee beans
As we discuss in the above section, the main important ingredient is Arabic coffee beans. Also, two subcategories of beans are present, which are Yemeni coffee beans and Ethiopian coffee beans. These all three beans have the following specific characteristics:
Arabic coffee: Provide smooth and balanced flavor and is ideal for subtle tastes.
Yemeni coffee: Provide unique flavor with hints of fruit.
Ethiopian coffee: Provide light and floral notes.
2. Grinding coffee beans
After selecting the coffee beans, the second step is grinding the beans. Coarse to medium grind size is considered the ideal grind size for arabic coffee.
3. Boiling the water
The third step is to boil water, and for perfect Arabic coffee, it is necessary to select the perfect water-to-coffee ratio. For arabic coffee, 1 tablespoon of ground arabic coffee per 1 cup of water (250 ml) is ideal, but if you want a slightly strong taste, you can increase the coffee ratio.
Also, as we discussed above, dallah is used to boil water, but if you don’t have it, you can use a saucepan. What you have to do is just heat the desired amount of water in the saucepan/dallah until it starts to boil gently.
4. Adding coffee & brewing
In this boiling water, add ground coffee and stir gently for almost 10 to 15 minutes. This is the ideal time for extracting perfect flavor. Also, it is necessary to Brew it slowly.
5. Adding cardamom & other spices
For extra flavor, you can add another ingredient like cardamom, saffron, or cloves. These spices can be added accordingly:
For cardamom: For mild flavor, 3-4 cups of cardamom pods per cup of coffee.
For saffron: Add 2-3 strands to the water to get a golden hue.
For cloves: For a warm spice profile, drop 1-2 whole cloves into the coffee during brewing.
So, these are the necessary steps that should be known to all those people who are searching for how to make Arabic coffee.